Chub

The European chub, Squalius cephalus, is an omnivorous freshwater fish native to Europe and parts of the Middle East. Older accounts often use the name Leuciscus cephalus.

It has a rounded, elongated body, a broad blunt head and a large mouth. The body is greenish or dusky silver, sometimes with a bronze sheen, and some fins have a reddish tinge.

A chub generally has a broader mouth and a rounder, more robust body. Dace are more slender, with duller fins. Young chub can still be difficult to distinguish, so several features should be compared together.

The British Wildlife Trusts profile gives a length of 30–40 cm, while the Canal & River Trust lists about 40 cm. Individual size depends on age and growing conditions.

The Canal & River Trust’s British species profile gives 4–5 lb, about 1.8–2.3 kg. Larger individuals occur, so this is not a maximum weight.

The Wildlife Trusts and Canal & River Trust give a lifespan of about 14–20 years in their British species accounts.

They eat both animal and plant material, including aquatic insects and their larvae, worms, molluscs, small fish, fish eggs, berries and seeds. Their large mouths allow them to take a varied range of foods.

They occur in rivers and streams and also thrive in some canals where they have been introduced. In Britain they are widespread in lowland England. Overhanging vegetation and tree roots can provide cover.

They can gather in large shoals, sometimes visible near the surface of rivers, streams and canals.

In Britain they spawn in spring and summer, with the Canal & River Trust describing spawning when water reaches about 14°C. Females may spawn several times with different males, scattering eggs among gravel and vegetation.

Pike and fish-eating birds are among their predators.